COLOR-CODED DUPLEX SONOGRAPHY FOR POSTOPE RATIVE CONTROL OF PATIENTS WITH LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION

The aim of this study was to investigate whether vascular complication s after liver transplantation can be diagnosed prior to their clinical and/or biochemistral appearance. Therefore color coded ultrasonograph y was performed daily in 22 liver patients with alltogether 27 transpl anted organs. We found 2 arterial thromboses, one partial thrombosis o f the portal vein and one thrombosis of the lower vena cava and anothe r two stenoses of the lower vena cava. Angiography was performed in al l patients with positive findings after duplexsonography, except in th e 2 patients with cava stenosis. In our experience angiography can be avoided in all patients after a normal duplexsonogram. However, the ea rly diagnosis of vascular complications prior to the manifestation of a dysfunction of the transplant could not be reached in this study.